Petrobras and Ecopetrol Discover Natural Gas Off Colombia
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Mar 18 2026
0mins
Source: seekingalpha
- Gas Discovery: Petrobras and Ecopetrol announced a natural gas discovery at the Copoazu-1 well off the Colombian coast, located at a water depth of 964 meters and approximately 8 km from the Sirius-1 and Sirius-2 wells, confirming the presence beyond the primary objective and expanding one of South America's most promising hydrocarbon plays.
- Reserve Estimates: According to Ecopetrol, the Sirius area holds estimated reserves exceeding 6 trillion cubic feet, marking it as Colombia's largest-ever gas discovery, which is expected to significantly enhance the country's energy self-sufficiency and market competitiveness.
- Refinery Capacity Increase: Petrobras CEO Magda Chambriard indicated that the company's refineries are set to operate at 98.5% capacity in April, amidst a longer-than-expected conflict in the Middle East, demonstrating the company's resilience in navigating external market volatility.
- Import Dependency Risks: While most of Brazil's diesel is produced locally by Petrobras, approximately 25% is imported, leaving the country vulnerable to rising international oil prices, particularly since the onset of the war.
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Analyst Views on PBR
Wall Street analysts forecast PBR stock price to fall
2 Analyst Rating
2 Buy
0 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 20.770
Low
13.30
Averages
15.15
High
17.00
Current: 20.770
Low
13.30
Averages
15.15
High
17.00
About PBR
Petroleo Brasileiro SA Petrobras is a Brazil-based company. The Company specializes in the oil, natural gas and energy industry. The Company is engaged in prospecting, drilling, refining, processing, trading and transporting crude oil from producing onshore and offshore oil fields and from shale or other rocks. Its segments include Exploration and Production (exploration, development, and production of crude oil, natural gas liquids, and natural gas); Refining, Transportation, and Marketing (refining, logistics, transport, trading of oil products, ethanol export, shale processing); Gas and Power (transportation and trading of natural and imported gas); Biofuels (production of biodiesel and ethanol); Distribution (fuel distribution); and Corporate (administrative and support functions).
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
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- Strategic Alignment: This discovery aligns with Petrobras's strategy to unlock additional resources in mature offshore basins, leveraging existing infrastructure and geological knowledge to accelerate development timelines and improve project economics.
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- Strategic Alignment: This discovery aligns with Petrobras's strategy to unlock additional resources in mature offshore basins, leveraging existing infrastructure and geological knowledge to accelerate development timelines and improve project economics.
- Market Implications: The find not only enhances Petrobras's competitive position in the oil and gas sector but may also drive an increase in the company's stock price, attracting more investor interest in its development potential in mature oil fields.
See More
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See More
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Iran's Stance on War: Iran maintains a hardline stance regarding ongoing conflicts, indicating that war will continue despite external pressures.
Rejection of U.S. Proposals: The Iranian government has rejected the U.S. timeline for negotiations and proposals related to regional security.
Response to U.S. Actions: Iran's leadership has issued a lukewarm response to U.S. proposals, signaling a lack of interest in compromise.
Demand for Sovereignty: Iran emphasizes its demand for sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz, asserting its rights in the region amidst international tensions.
See More
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- Partnership Discussion: The purpose of the visit is to discuss a proposed partnership between Petrobras and Pemex, Mexico's state-owned oil company.
See More
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Trump's Remarks on Talks: President Donald Trump described the preliminary U.S.-Iran talks as "very, very good."
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See More
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- Pemex's Challenges: President Sheinbaum is struggling to find private partners to help Pemex revive its oil production, which has plummeted to half of its peak from 20 years ago, and this partnership could provide much-needed technical and financial support.
- Strategic Reserve Initiative: Lula suggested that Brazil and Petrobras consider establishing a strategic oil reserve similar to those maintained by the U.S. to address emergencies and mitigate supply disruptions, which would enhance Brazil's stability in the global energy market.
- Refinery Buyback Plan: Lula announced Petrobras's intention to repurchase the Mataripe refinery in Bahia, which was sold to Abu Dhabi's Mubadala in 2021, indicating a commitment to restoring Brazil's refining capacity, although he acknowledged that the process may take time.
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